Physics Contrived Photo The straw looks like it is detached, but it is not. This is because light is bending. When we look at an object (like a stick), we can see it only because light bounces off the object and enters our eyes. Usually, the light goes in a straight line. But when the light that bounces off the object goes through different mediums (like the green water), its path can be bent. This is called refraction. When we look at a stick in a glass of water, light from the top of the stick travels straight to the eye with little interference. Light from the part that's underwater is refracted when it goes from the water into the air so it changes direction. Because of this, light comes to the eye from a different angle, and the stick looks out of place.
Physics Contrived PhotoThe straw looks like it is detached, but
it is not. This is because light is bending. When we look at an
object (like a stick), we can see it only because light bounces off
the object and enters our eyes. Usually, the light goes in a
straight line. But when the light that bounces off the object goes
through different mediums (like the green water), its path can be
bent. This is called refraction. When we look at a stick in a glass
of water, light from the top of the stick travels straight to the
eye with little interference. Light from the part that's underwater
is refracted when it goes from the water into the air so it changes
direction. Because of this, light comes to the eye from a different
angle, and the stick looks out of place.
